Austin Sound

So CMJ is a rockin’ and a rollin’ up in New York this week, or as we like to think of it, New York’s shittier version of SXSW. Sonic Bids has apparently made it their mission to get a bunch of Austin bands up there to play, which we can dig. Among the artists they apparently helped get shows at CMJ are some of our favorites, including Moth!Fight!, Corto Maltese, My Education, and The Great Nostalgic. They’re also pimping out UME with a showcase that happened last night, and below is a little video and interview with local trio, chilling with the Meat Puppets’ new drummer Ted Marcus, for some reason. Oh, they say hi, by the way. Word from the band is that Joan Jett was in attendance at their show as well, which could be important as they are currently without label and Miss Jett seems to like signing rockin’ women to her Blackheart Records label, eh, Girl in a Coma?

This one almost slipped by us in the madness of last month, but Ume released pretty damn rockin’ video for “The Conductor,” the lead single off of their excellent Sunshower EP. The video is fairly straightforward, but captures the band at their best. It was done by local production company Population Boom, who have previously [...]

January may seem a bit early to declare the best record of 2009, but I am prepared to set caution aside and predict that this time next year UME will be topping best-of lists. The band’s new EP, Sunshower is at once beautiful, brutal, flawlessly executed, and completely unpretentious. It’s the type of record that grabs the listener immediately and demands repeated listens. It’s the whole package – as close to a perfect rock record as has come out of Austin (or anywhere for the matter) in quite some time. Like all great bands, UME’s sound is impossible to nail down in simple terms. They are shredding guitars and vocals that shift from beautiful whispers to raspy growls. They merge the anthemic and with the intimate — sometimes delicate and sometimes explosive.

Ume unloaded a great set at the F3Fest this weekend, even it was unfortunately early on Sunday. The trio has a new EP in the works, which was recorded at the Bubble with Frenchie Smith and is their first recording in about 3 years. While the band has always been a force live, it’s usually translated less well to their recordings, so we’re excited about the promise shown with the just released song from the still-untitled EP, “The Conductor.” Check it out for yourself below, and you can catch Ume live next Tuesday, November 18, at the Mohawk.

UME - Photo: Anthony Rathbun

A day late but no less jam-packed with events, it’s Weekend Preview.

Two super lineups dominate the weekend beginning with UME, Ringo Deathstarr, Haunting Oboe Music and more at the Monarch Event Center. Then Sunday, KOOP plays host to a fundraiser where you have the chance of winning a scooter, and the guarantee of good music, compliments of The Bellfuries, La Snacks, Peel, and Foot Foot.

A good show bill is like a well-rounded breakfast. By well rounded of course, I mean pancakes, french toast, waffles and 8 pieces of bacon all on one plate (or platter). Needless to say, there’s only one thing that excites me more than a platter of food, and that’s the show tonight at Club Deville.